Microsoft solicits gadget for Live.com [updated]

Wednesday 2 November 2005 12.40 EST
First published on Wednesday 2 November 2005 12.40 EST

The Microsoft Gadgets site is trying to build up a supply of gadgets for use on the new Live.com personal portal site by offering a prize -- an Xbox 360 -- for the best effort. (No expense spared, apparently.)

Microsoft Gadgets come in three flavours for the Web, the Windows Vista sidebar and auxiliary screens (eg a display on a laptop lid, keyboard or mobile phone). The idea harks back to the (failed) ActiveDesktop idea Microsoft tried with IE4 in 1997 in the great days of (failed) "push" technology and Webcasting -- RSS before its time -- and beyond that to desktop accessories on the original Mac.